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Bowditch matches career best with opening 62 at Nelson, 7 better than hometown star Spieth

Associated Press
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Steven Bowditch hits from the sand to the 16th green during the first round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament, Thursday, May 28, 2015, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Jordan Spieth repares for his tee shot on the first hole during the first round of the Byron Nelson golf tournament, Thursday, May 28, 2015, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Steven Bowditch matched his career best with an 8-under 62 on Thursday in the AT&T Byron Nelson, leaving Jordan Spieth seven strokes back in the Masters champion's hometown event.

Bowditch, the Australian also playing close to his home in the Dallas suburbs, made three putts of at least 24 feet while shooting 30 on the front nine. He had a two-stroke lead over another Texan, Jimmy Walker.

A large gallery cheering him all day, Spieth opened with a birdie but missed two short chances late and settled for a 69.

Defending champion Brendon Todd, playing a group ahead of Spieth, had just one birdie and shot 72.

Danny Lee aced the par-3 17th with a 5-iron from 190 yards and finished at 67.